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    • Sep 19, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Excellent Oriental Cruising Recommendtions (Statute Mile 181)

      Below, you will find a superb discussion of Oriental, NC’s marinas and anchorages, courtesy of MTOA North Carolina Port Captain, Frank Erwin.
      Oriental is often considered the sailing capital of the North Carolina coastline. When you see the forest of masts as you enter the harbor, and/or nearby Whittaker Creek, you will not disagree with this assessment.
      Notice Capatin Frank’s ringing endorsement of Oriental Marina. These good folks are also SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!

      Below/south of Belhaven is Oriental…you need to stop in Oriental, NC on the way down the ditch… Very Very Very cruiser friendly, low key and down to earth!!! First choice for dockage is the Oriental Marina…this is the original, small marina (maybe 12 slips) in the old part of town – it has a pool and restaurant immediately there, and you can walk everywhere (actually, you can walk everywhere in Oriental no matter where you are) –http://www.orientalmarina.com/
      2nd choice marina (and again, just 300 yards away and w/in walking distance of everything) is the Oriental Harbour Marina –http://www.orientalharbor.com/ (some may like this better, a bit more
      upscale but no swimming pool and less Jimmy Buffet)….
      http://www.towndock.net/harborcam/ – this shows a webcam of the dozen slips at Oriental Marina.
      http://www.visitoriental.com/
      Make sure you you stop – you can anchor out just above the bridges – bear to port at the fork and anchor… dinghy dock at the east end of the docks of the Oriental Marina.
      Frank & Chris Erwin


      Click Here For More Information On Oriental Marina and Toucan’s Restaurant


      Click Here For More Information On Oriental Harbor Marina

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      South Harbour Village Marina (Staute Mie 311)

      I agree with Nita and Rick that the roads from South Harbour Village Marina into downtown Southport, and all its many good restaurants and neat shops, are NOT bike friendly. However, South Harbour Village does encourage transients, and there are two restaurants on site.

      We came down topless in good weather from Morehead. The canvas shop doing our repairs is near South Harbour Village Marina so here we are. It is only 1.5 nm west of Southport by water but seven miles on unbikeable roads by land, with no courtesy car available. Another boat condo. A golf course and an airport are nearby, but there’s not much here for transients other than fuel, an Italian restaurant, and a bar/grill. The Italian was OK last night, we’ll try the pub tonight. Southport would have been more fun.
      Regards, Nita and Rick George aboard MV Hale Kai

      Click Here For More Information On South Harbour Village Marina

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Harbour Village Marina (Statute Mile 266)

      At one time, the facility discussed below was not accepting any transient vessels. Now, I’m told, they will take a few at their fuel dock.

      HAMPSTEAD (9/8). Harbour Village Marina has gone condo, OK for slip owners, not so for transients. We remembered cable TV, courtesy car, etc., but all are gone now. We stayed there because the Onslow Beach swing bridge had a hydraulic malfunction just as it was to open for us. We enjoyed a three hour lunch break rafted up on the hook with another southbound cruiser by the shores of the beautiful Camp Lejeune artillery range.
      Regards, Nita and Rick George aboard MV Hale Kai

      Click Here For More Information On Harbour Village Marina

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Good Report on Morehead City Yacht Basin (Statute Mile 204)

      I’m glad Captains Nita and Rick found such a warm welcome at Morhead City Yacht Basin. As I’ve often said, after its total rebuild several years ago, this is one of the BEST marinas from North Carolina to New Orleans. And, of course, they are also a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

      MOREHEAD CITY (9/3 – 9/8, TS Hanna). We went to the MC Yacht Basin there because it is on the north side of US 70 and better protected than the marinas along the waterfront. They took us in with a warning that we might have to evacuate, but were very friendly and helpful. Many of the slip owners were taking their boats up to Core Creek for haul out, while some others (like us) were coming in for refuge! The town was semi-closed, but we enjoyed suppers at Floyd’s, Sanitary Seafood, and the Ice House. There is a courtesy car available (for $10 rental) for grocery and other shopping. About 0600 Saturday morning we had gusts to better that 60 mph. Several of us had canvas casualties, but no serious damage.
      Regards, Nita and Rick George aboard MV Hale Kai

      Click Here For More Information On Morehead City Yacht Basin

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Cape Lookout Bight, September, 2008 Visit

      I think I can state, without any fear of passing along an inaccuracy, that Cape Lookout Bight is THE most popular anchorage along the North Carolina coastline. An approach from Beaufort inlet is relatively easy, being sure to follow the charts and exercise the usual caution. Trying to cruise into the Bight from Harkers Island is another story entirely, and I specifically do NOT recommend this passage for vessels larger than 25 feet, or those drawing 3 feet or more!

      CAPE LOOKOUT BIGHT (9/3). One of the best anchorages we've ever done.  The lighthouse and beach were definitely worth a ride in the dink.  We would have stayed another night if TS Hanna had not been coming along.
      Regards, Nita and Rick George aboard MV Hale Kai

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Edenton, NC – August 2008 Visit

      For those who have never before made the trek, Edenton lies near the westerly limits of Albemarle Sound, hard by the sound’s juncture with the Chowan River. I love a cruise to beaufitufl and historic Edenton, but all captains must be aware of the 30+ nautical mile journey necessary to access this community from the comfortable confines of the ICW

      EDENTON (8/27 – 8/30). Town Docks are wonderful. Great enclosed harbor, friendly staff, first two nights still complimentary, still $6 for 50A power. Great seafood at Waterman’s Grill and good pizza at Kristy’s Place. Bike riding and walking about were quite easy, with some very interesting history to absorb.
      Regards, Nita and Rick George aboard MV Hale Kai

      Click Here For More Information On The Edenton Town Docks

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Midway Marina – Coinjock, NC (Statute Mile 50)

      I, too, have always like Midway Marina in Coinjock. Owner/dockmaster Terry always does a good job, and I’m glad to hear that Nita and Rick liked the restaurant here as well!

      COINJOCK (8/26). Midway Marina is still our favorite and Crabby’s is a good place to recover from all manner of tense moments.
      Regards, Nita and Rick George aboard MV Hale Kai

      Click Here For More Information On Midway Marina and Motel

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    • Nov 2, 2007by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Turnagain Bay Anchorage

      Turnagain Bay is (at least until now) a seldom visited sidewater of the Neuse River, almost directly opposite the ICW’s entrance into the Neuse at Maw Point Shoal. I have always found the entrance too shallow to recommend this body of water in my North Carolina guide, but now it looks like Captains Jim and Lynn have had a somewhat different experience!

      On Saturday October 13th, we looked in at the entrance of Turnagain Bay and had a pleasant surprise. In the 6th Edition of the Cruising Guide to Coastal NC, you’d mentioned that the entry shoal was impassable at less than 4 feet. I had the shoal marked on my electronic charts (C-Map), (and it was where it was supposed to be) and saw almost 8 feet going in and over 9 coming out. There seems to be some significant current in and out of the bay, but I don’t think the tide there would be more that a foot given what we see in Oriental. If the shoal had been impassable we had allowed time to go back west into South River in daylight, but as it turned out, we had a nice quiet anchorage in the bay. Glad there were no runs on the Marine’s range!
      Once you are over the bar, the depths increase and there is 10 feet as charted extending in at least to the old canal. I think it is still quite shallow near the green marker 1A. I entered on a course parallel to a line through Green 1A and Red 2, lining up to slightly favor the red side of the channel (about 60 to 80 feet off 1A) , then swinging to port about halfway from green marker `1A’ to red `2’. We tracked halfway between the charted depth contours and saw 10 feet or better once past the bar. You can make out the outlines of the shallows in aerial photos that are on some of the mapping sites. The bar begins before 1A and is done by marker 2. The depth does come up quickly, so watch both the depth finder and the charts.
      While Turnagain Bay is open, I’d recommend attempting entry only with a chart plotter, in fine weather and with plenty of light.
      Regards
      Jim and Lynn Duggan
      IP 38 Cat Tails Oriental NC

       

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